Done waiting to be seen, done playing small.

Written by Rowena Morais

This is my one job in life — to discover and hone the best version of me. I know it takes time to arrive at who this person is, to use experience to refine what this should look like, and I accept that failure is very much part of my journey.

I choose to be proactive about building my profile and getting really clear about who I am, not just for myself but for others to see.

Here’s why.

I show up, I contribute, I’m a good team player, and I deliver.
Yet I feel invisible, and others are getting credit and moving forward.

I don’t know how to talk about myself without feeling like I’m bragging. I’ve been in my line of work for ages and yet, outside of my close circle, nobody seems to know who I am or what I can do.

I want to be noticed.

I know I shouldn’t feel this way but I don’t know how to put myself forward without feeling sheepish. I’m active on social media but it doesn’t seem to work. I post and I get crickets.

And here’s another for you: I’m also good at many things and that’s actually the problem. I just don’t know what to lead with.

Every time someone asks me what I do, I give out a different answer. Am I confused or testing them? Do I need validation? I hear myself rambling but I can’t stop. I keep second-guessing my niche. What if I pick the wrong one? My reputation just doesn’t seem to travel.

Sometimes, I wonder if I should take up this space. I wonder if I’m adding anything meaningful to the dialogue, if it’s worth doing, or if it will resonate. Aren’t others doing a much better job at this than I am?

I’ve got questions but no answers. I’m also worn out. Fed up and depleted.
But I know there’s more. There has to be.

So this is where it all stops now.

I am going to start again.

I’ve spent too long second-guessing, sitting on the fence, and just waiting. And I know I can’t wait any longer. Of course, I’m uncertain but I know I need to push through. This is the truth of my inner conflict, my pain, and my continued hesitation.

But I want to do it differently now. I want to be very intentional. I no longer want to be moved by pain and to play catch-up.

I want to be moved by my why and I know I need to figure that piece out. So I’m going to spend time discovering what’s guiding my decisions, what’s truly holding me back, and I’m going to sit with that pain. Long enough to learn why and how to connect my values to the impact I want to deliver.

I have the power in me to speak my truth and I need to because no one else will.
No one else truly knows me as well as I do.

I owe this to myself.

More than anything, I will dream unfettered. I will dare to dream of what my life will look like.

I will worry about problems after I build my dream, the dream of the life I want to live and the work I want to sink my teeth into. I will focus my energies and I will be unfazed.

Yes, I will do the work.

And if I see challenges and fears, I will also choose to look for opportunities, wins and possibilities. I want to be moved by hope, not fear.

If others see me differently, or if others don’t see me, that’s on me, and I will change that because I can.

This is the change I will create in me, for me.

It starts with my profile and I will leave nothing to chance. I will review my career journey, reflect on what that has meant for me but I will not let the past dictate my future.

I will move boldly in the direction of my dreams. I will write an elevator pitch for myself. I will create a career or business narrative that is well and truly mine. I will hone it until it’s sharp, embedded deep within, and I can say it out loud with pride.

I will build a community around me, others who think, feel and move in the same ways, motivated by the same desires. I’ll get clear about who I want to connect with because their energy and drive will seep into me.

I want to see my people and I want my people to see me.

I’ll no longer wait to be discovered. I’ll ensure my work is clear when others find me. I’ll manage my fears because I know they’re preventing me from moving forward, and from living the life I want.

I acknowledge that others may have experience and credentials which undoubtedly make me second guess everything. But I also trust that my experience and skills have value.

I owe it to myself to share my ideas, to get clear on the things I’m absolutely passionate about, and to trust that the things I write and speak about will help others understand my value.

This is the change I will create in me, for me.

I’m motivated by what’s possible, by the change I seek, and by the actions I can and will take. If not me, who? If not now, when? This is the time.

And I want the same for you.